“The aim is to leave no one behind and marshal all our branches towards a decisive ANC victory in Harry Gwala.”
The African National Congress (ANC) Harry Gwala Regional Task Team (RTT) says it has resolved long-standing internal divisions within the Greater Kokstad sub-region as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
In a statement issued this week, the RTT said its newly appointed interim leadership convened a strategic engagement with ANC branches at the Bhongweni Youth Centre aimed at restoring unity and stabilising party structures. The party acknowledged that internal tensions had previously resulted in the formation of parallel leadership structures within Kokstad.
Responding to questions about the purpose of the gathering, ANC Harry Gwala RTT officials said the meeting was specifically aimed at resolving those disputes. “We are here to resolve all those parallel structures as per the directive of the ANC national and provincial leadership, who tasked us long ago to resolve this matter,” the RTT said.
According to the party, the conflict stemmed largely from the establishment of Branch Task Teams (BTTs) in Kokstad. “The ANC NEC appreciated that the major source of our conflict emanated from the establishment of BTTs in Kokstad, so we attended to this matter and resolved it amicably by including everyone to serve in the structures,” the party stated.
The ANC further dismissed allegations that the Regional Working Committee (RWC) was unaware of the gathering. “There is currently no RWC in Harry Gwala. We are waiting for the final official communiqué from Luthuli House and Seme House confirming the fully-fledged structure of the RTT and RWC with the necessary amendments,” the RTT explained. The party added that it was therefore unaware of “which RWC is allegedly not aware of the gathering”. As part of its programme going forward, the ANC said it would begin preparations for the upcoming local government elections through mobilisation campaigns across the region. “We will start with a massive mini rally outlining a clear line of march and immediate tasks towards elections and campaign preparations. The aim is to leave no one behind and marshal all our branches towards a decisive ANC victory in Harry Gwala,” the RTT said.
The ANC also addressed questions surrounding RTT Coordinator Qiniso Mnguni, who also serves as CEO of the Harry Gwala Development Agency. Mnguni said his appointment to the RTT is temporary and unrelated to the running of elections. “The interim appointment as ANC RTT Coordinator is valid for a certain period, and elections are run by the Regional Election Team Coordinator. It is not compulsory for the RTT Coordinator to run elections himself,” he said.
Mnguni further stated that he would not make himself available for election at the next ANC conference. “What we can assure ANC branches in Harry Gwala is that I will not be available to be elected at the next conference, but I will remain a volunteer of the movement,” he added.
Responding to concerns that Section 57 municipal managers are not permitted to hold political office, the ANC maintained that RTT positions are temporary structures within the movement. “RTTs in the movement are not permanent structures, and the Coordinator position is temporary and valid only for a certain period,” the party explained. The ANC said it would continue its outreach programme across all sub-regions in an effort to strengthen unity and prepare for the 2026 elections.
